Archive for the ‘friends’ tag

This is Tim, writing for Gloria. We were both going over a book Carole Cohen gave Gloria to while away the hours at Metro, and we had an “aha” moment we wanted to share with all of you. Here’s a excerpt from pages 47 & 48 of Here Comes Everybody: The Power of Organizing without Organizations by Clay Shirky:

For the last hundred years the big organizational question has been whether any given task was best taken on by the state, directing the effort in a planned way, or by businesses competing in a market. This debate was based on the universal and unspoken supposition that people couldn’t simply self-assemble, the choice between markets and managed effort assumed that there was no third alternative. Now there is. Our electronic networks are enabling novel forms of collective action, enabling the creation of collaborative groups that are larger and more distributed than at any other time in history. The scope of work that can be done by noninstitutional groups is a profound challenge to the status quo.

The collapse of transaction costs makes it easier for people to get together–so much easier, in fact, that it is changing the world.

This is Tim, filling in for Gloria. We got this press release today from Bill Denihan, who was telling Gloria about the new, improved situation yesterday, when he dropped by the 7th floor at Metro. Gloria will comment on it herself soon, but here is the release:

The Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board of Cuyahoga County with Provisional Authority has voted to name William M. Denihan to serve for three years as Executive Director of the soon-to-be-consolidated agency. The appointment will be effective July 1, 2009, when the new agency comes into existence. Mr. Denihan is currently the Chief Executive Officer of the Cuyahoga County Community Mental Health Board (CCCMHB).

The decision comes after nearly six months of careful deliberation on the qualities and qualifications needed to lead the new organization, which unites the Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services Board of Cuyahoga County and the CCCMHB.

The provisional board voted December 1 to limit the search to the two incumbent executives. William M. Denihan will be on loan to serve as the Executive Director under the terms of a memorandum of understanding while continuing to direct the CCCMHB.

“We take very seriously both our stewardship of the public’s mental health and drug and alcohol addiction services dollars, and our charge to assess and quickly respond to the community’s growing need for lifesaving behavioral healthcare services,” said Mary McElrath, ADAMH board co-chair. “We want this agency to be the gold standard for good government in Cuyahoga County, and Bill is the person to take us there.”

“The search committee had two highly competent and accomplished candidates to choose from, and the decision was not an easy one,” said Kathryn Gambatese, ADAMH board co-chair. “However, in the end we felt that Bill is best suited to lead the consolidated board at this point in time. His particular combination of skills and track record of experience were significant deciding factors.”

The Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board of Cuyahoga County is committed to strengthening the community by supporting a provider network that offers leading edge behavioral healthcare and wellness services. In joining forces, the preferred practices of both systems will be combined, with the goal of continuously improving how people are connected with the recovery services necessary to lead an independent and productive life.